What is a Bloodborne Disease? Bloodborne pathogens are germs that are found in the bloodstream and can cause disease in humans. Examples of common bloodborne diseases include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV (AIDS)
Facts about Hepatitis: Hepatitis B (HBV) is a virus spread by blood or through sexua contact. There is a vaccine for HBV. HBV can live on surfaces for 7-10 days. Hepatitis C (HCV) is spread the same way I but there is not a vaccine for HCV.
Facts about HIV: HIV is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It weakens the body's immune system leading to serious infections and diseases. More than 1,000,000 Americans are infected with the HIV virus. There is no cure or vaccine available at this time.
Transmission of Bloodborne Pathogens Transmission of a bloodborne pathogen can occur any time that blood or certain other body fluids from an infected per~on enters the body of someone else through a break in the skin or mucous membrane, sexual contact, sharing of needles, or blood transfusions. Sweat, tears, saliva, vomit, urine, and feces are not considered to be potentially infectious unless visible blood is present.
Universal Precautions Universal precautions are practices and procedures that help prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
Using Universal All blood and body fluids should be treated as if they could be infectious. Precautions Following careful procedures can prevent exposures. Handwashing is the best way to prevent spreading infections.
Good Handwashing Wet hands thoroughly under warm or cold water. Dispense liquid soap into hands. Vigorously rub hands together for one minute, paying particular attention to the nails, cuticles, spaces between the fingers, and under jewelry. Rinse hands thoroughly. Dry hands with disposable towel. Use towel to turn off the water. Dispose of paper towel into a waste receptacle.
Using Disposable Gloves Maintain a supply of disposable gloves in a readily accessible location. When giving first aid or wound. care, always wear gloves. Students should clean their own wounds if possible. Slip each hand into a clean glove, pulling it snugly over the fingers to assure a good fit. Pull glove over the wrist as far as it will go to maximize coverage. Do not reuse gloves
Safe Removal of Gloves Remove gloves by turning the glove inside out as it is pulled over the hand. During the removal of the second glove, avoid touching the outer surface by slipping the fingers of the ungloved hand under the glove and pulling it inside out as it is pulled over the hand. Dispose of used gloves in a waste container lined with a plastic bag.,wash hands thoroughly following hand washing procedures.
Clean Ups Call custodian to clean up blood or body fluids on surfaces. Custodians will use germicidal cleaners which kill bloodborne pathogens. Items contaminated with blood should be disposed of in a plastic lined pail. If very large amounts of blood are present, biohazard disposal bags are used (available in the nurse's office).
Exposure to Body Fluids Always wear gloves when coming in contact with body fluids Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces and objects Contaminated materials should be double bagged and put into a plastic lined trash can. Materials containing large quantities of liquid blood should be placed in a biohazard "red bag" available in the nurse's office